Spring Cleaning

I have been feeling a need lately to move some stuck energy around. I was starting to feel a bit weighed down by the clutter in my life, both physical and mental. I started doing some cleaning up late last week, and boy, there has been no stopping me! Normally, my cleaning sprees are PMS-induced and followed by a snack of Doritos and pickles (oh, the joys of being a woman). This time, however, the cause was more meaningful.

It started with my classroom. I threw out everything I can't imagine myself needing anytime soon. (No, I did not get rid of any children.) I bagged and boxed things, organized files, disinfected every surface. It's like working in a new place. When I walk in each morning, I feel ready to tackle the day's responsibilities, whereas before, my first thought every morning was "Gee, I should really..." It was overwhelming. It feels happier, the way I think a classroom should feel.

I've also been working on the house. I threw out bags of old clothes and shoes, waded through financial papers, vacuumed, organized...I took out the things that no longer represented where I am in my life (old photos and such). I also collaged a few vision boards (physical representations of things I would like to create in my life).

The work I'm most proud of, however, is having addressed some situations I've been avoiding. I'll keep the details private, but I made amends with someone. I apologized for having judged her for her decisions in the past, and I let her know that I still love her deeply. I received an e-mail back, and it has been a very healing experience.

I also had a heart-to-heart with an ex-boyfriend. Even though it was apparent we weren't well-suited for a relationship, it still hurt to lose that friendship. I let him know how I'm feeling (even the not so pretty, pissed off part), and he did the same. We didn't try to pretend everything was okay, and it felt really good to create that space where both of us could communicate our feelings without attacking each other. At the end of our conversation, we both agreed to give one another some space to create a new relationship with someone else. We've also agreed to greet one another with a giant bear hug next time we run into each other. :)

I am feeling lighter now that I have spoken my truth and cleaned up my environment a bit. I believe that in order to make room for wonderful new things in our lives, we have to first get rid of the old. Having done that, I am giddy to see what the Universe has in store for me next. ;)